IMA and Hospital Board of India issue 'Cashless Everywhere' advisory
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Hospital Board of India (HBI) have collaboratively released guidance regarding the introduction of the 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC). This advisory follows apprehensions expressed by healthcare professionals regarding the program's ambiguity and potential consequences. As per a press release from Dr. AK Ravikumar, who chairs the IMA HBI HORS, the 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative has been launched without adequately addressing the concerns raised by the IMA HBI. One significant concern outlined in the advisory is the lack of precise guidelines and procedures governing the program's implementation.
While the initiative allows policyholders to seek treatment at any hospital that complies with the guidelines set forth by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), there remains ambiguity surrounding the one-time temporary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between insurance companies and hospitals. The lack of clarity regarding the MOU, as well as the inclusion of packaged deals, discounts, and freebies, has raised concerns among healthcare providers.
The IMA HBI advisory emphasises that packaged deals should not be a mandatory requirement for hospitals participating in the 'Cashless Everywhere' programme. Citing various court orders, the advisory states that packaged deals, discounts, and freebies are non-scientific, potentially compromising the quality of healthcare and unjustly impacting patients. In light of these concerns, the IMA HBI has issued a series of recommendations for its members to ensure the sustainability of healthcare facilities and uphold the quality of patient care. These recommendations include rejecting MOUs that include packaged deals, discounts, and freebies, and advocating for payment based solely on actual medical expenses.
Furthermore, the advisory recommended that insurance companies set eligibility standards for policyholders according to their insured amount. Any surplus beyond the actual medical expenses should be shared between the policyholders. The IMA HBI also proposed implementing minimum sustainable fees for healthcare services, determined through scientific methods based on government standards applicable to hospitals in Tier 2 cities.
The advisory closed by warning hospitals about the risks associated with accepting the 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative in its current state. It emphasized the need to prioritize high-quality healthcare delivery and promote fair and transparent practices within the healthcare sector. Through the issuance of this advisory, the IMA HBI seeks to tackle the concerns related to the 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative and advocate for policies that prioritize the welfare of both healthcare providers and patients.
While the initiative allows policyholders to seek treatment at any hospital that complies with the guidelines set forth by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), there remains ambiguity surrounding the one-time temporary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between insurance companies and hospitals. The lack of clarity regarding the MOU, as well as the inclusion of packaged deals, discounts, and freebies, has raised concerns among healthcare providers.
The IMA HBI advisory emphasises that packaged deals should not be a mandatory requirement for hospitals participating in the 'Cashless Everywhere' programme. Citing various court orders, the advisory states that packaged deals, discounts, and freebies are non-scientific, potentially compromising the quality of healthcare and unjustly impacting patients. In light of these concerns, the IMA HBI has issued a series of recommendations for its members to ensure the sustainability of healthcare facilities and uphold the quality of patient care. These recommendations include rejecting MOUs that include packaged deals, discounts, and freebies, and advocating for payment based solely on actual medical expenses.
Furthermore, the advisory recommended that insurance companies set eligibility standards for policyholders according to their insured amount. Any surplus beyond the actual medical expenses should be shared between the policyholders. The IMA HBI also proposed implementing minimum sustainable fees for healthcare services, determined through scientific methods based on government standards applicable to hospitals in Tier 2 cities.
The advisory closed by warning hospitals about the risks associated with accepting the 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative in its current state. It emphasized the need to prioritize high-quality healthcare delivery and promote fair and transparent practices within the healthcare sector. Through the issuance of this advisory, the IMA HBI seeks to tackle the concerns related to the 'Cashless Everywhere' initiative and advocate for policies that prioritize the welfare of both healthcare providers and patients.
